Re: [asa] Galileo Statue Nixed

"I wish, we evangelical protestants had such a careful, nuanced and honest way of integrating all this." - David O.
 
Wondering if ASA is mainly an 'evangelical protestants' association or rather a Christian association that welcomes all denominations and branches in the Christian Church equally or impartially?
 
The Wiki entry for ASA, for example, doesn't contain the word 'evangelical' in the content. ASA is classified under 'Evangelical parachurch organisations,' though perhaps that could use adjustment as well.
 
I guess I'm just curious about the language of 'we evangelical protestants' David, where perhaps more objectivity and ecumenism in this case would benefit.
 
Gregory

--- On Mon, 2/2/09, David Opderbeck <dopderbeck@gmail.com> wrote:

From: David Opderbeck <dopderbeck@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [asa] Galileo Statue Nixed
To: "George Cooper" <georgecooper@sbcglobal.net>
Cc: asa@calvin.edu
Received: Monday, February 2, 2009, 10:23 PM

Guys, you're reading too much into this statute thing, I think.  Take a look at the Vatican's most recent report on creation and evolution (published as a book, with a warm introduction by Pope Benedict).  I wish, I wish, I wish, we evangelical protestants had such a careful, nuanced and honest way of integrating all this.

David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 1:50 PM, George Cooper <georgecooper@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Hi Dick,
 
Yes, there are pros and cons to honoring those that have been scorned.   Your view may be the wiser, but the decision is very subjective.  IMO, I think the "Church", especially the Pope, would have more to gain than lose by continuing with the statute placement.   Galileo was faithful to his faith and the Church; he was one of theirs.  He was personal friends with many of the Cardinals and with the Popes, though he fell from grace with Urban, obviously.   He is also, rightfully, still beloved by Italians, and that too must be considered.
 
Your comparison of honoring Galileo with Darwin is a good one.   No doubt there are many church bodies that would not object to honoring, though there would be many that would be quite resentful of such an idea.  It seems to surprise some that Darwin's cornerstone came from Rev. Thomas Malthus ideas on populations.   I certainly don't expect any statue arising at my church's facility, but perhaps they could let loose a bunch of pigeons there at Westminster Abbey; Newton won't mind. J
 
Coope
 
 
 

From: Dick Fischer [mailto:dickfischer@verizon.net]
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 12:20 PM
To: 'George Cooper'
Cc: ASA

Subject: RE: [asa] Galileo Statue Nixed

 
Hi Coope:
 
I think it is one thing for a religious organization, and in this case a major religion, to admit to previous mistakes.  It's quite another to celebrate them.  It's in that same vein that I have some misgivings about celebrating Darwin.  Okay, he was a brilliant scientist and made a major contribution to our understanding of biology.  But somehow I feel overtones that serve to be a slap in the face to our Christian beliefs.  Maybe I'm just being over sensitive but if I were a pastor and Darwin Week was coming up (it is) I don't think I would prepare a special sermon to mark the occasion.  I would prefer a science week to honor great scientists and group Darwin in with Kepler, Newton, Einstein and others.  I would rather celebrate science than just Darwin.  I think it has the unfortunate ramification of sending the wrong message or at the very least a mixed message.

 
Dick Fischer, GPA president
Genesis Proclaimed Association
"Finding Harmony in Bible, Science and History"
www.genesisproclaimed.org
 
-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of George Cooper
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 10:43 AM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: [asa] Galileo Statue Nixed
 
Hi Dick,
 
Perhaps the sting of the Galileo affair will heal itself given more time. *wink*     
 
The Galileo lesson is quite important in our day, too.  There were mistakes made by both sides.  One year ago, the Pope was forced to cancel his trip to La Sapienza due to the protests from students and numerous faculty over a statement made by the Pope (while a Cardinal) 18 years earlier that condoned the Church's judgement upon Galileo.   It will be helpful for the Church to erect the statute. 
 
Coope
 
 
 

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Dick Fischer
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:43 PM
To: ASA
Subject: [asa] Galileo Statue Nixed
 
Galileo statue nixed.  (He doesn't look happy about it.)
 
http://scienceandreligiontoday.blogspot.com/2009/01/galileo-wont-get-vatican-statue-anytime.html
 
Galileo Won't Get Vatican Statue Anytime Soon
Posted: 30 Jan 2009 07:02 PM CST
Back in March, we told you about the Vatican's plans to erect a statue of Galileo in its gardens—both to mark the 400th anniversary of his telescope and to help fully rehabilitate his image. (After the Catholic Church charged the astronomer with heresy, he was forced to recant his scientific view of heliocentrism—the idea that the Earth revolved around the sun—during his 1633 trial.)
Now, it seems the plan for the statue is on hold, indefinitely. Monsignor Gianfranco Ravasi, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, told The Times that the statue had "only been an idea," which is now "suspended"—though Galileo "deserves all our appreciation and gratitude."
Galileo, Ravasi said in a statement, can now be recognized "as a believer who, in the context of his time, sought to reconcile the results of his scientific researches with his Christian faith." And "the church wishes to honor the figure of Galileo—innovative genius and son of the church," with a number of initiatives this year.
But the statue is no longer one of them. According to Ravasi, the statue had been designed, and a mold had been made, but the Vatican asked the project's sponsor to divert the funds to projects in Nigeria and other places "to foster a better understanding of the relationship between science and religion." —Heather Wax
 

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Received on Mon Feb 2 15:53:12 2009